Outdoor fireplace



ug. 4, 1959 R, A` AUTHlER 2,897,811

OUTDOOR FIREPLACE Filed July 25, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 EE- l A ,u 7 *z ROGEA? A. AUT/Wil? /MKM A TTOR/VIY Aug 4, 1959 R. A. AUTHIER OUTDOOR FIREPLAOE Filed July 25, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .e Rf mw n E Naw V NA A7 e w .Q 1 m 4m .J M @a l fr-G ATTORNEY United States Patent t OUTDOOR FIREPLACE Roger A. Authier, Pontiac, Mich.

Application July 25, 1956, Serial No. 599,956

1 Claim. (Cl. 126-9) This invention relates to outdoor replaces such as charcoal cooking grills and particularly pertains `to a reinforced concrete slab interlocked replace construction capable of being easily demountably assembled.

Outdoor iireplaces and cooking grills have been ernployed heretofore to facilitate outdoor burning and cooking, however, the several devices of the prior art have not proven entirely satisfactory inasmuch as they are usually built of solid masonry and are extremely heavy and cannot be transported from one point to another such as when a change of location is desired or when an owner is moving to a different house.

With the foregoing in view, the primary object of the invention is to provide a demountably assembled outdoor fireplace grill which is simple in design and construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble and disrassemble, which is properly engineered for draft and heat insulation, which is light in construction compared to solid masonry, and which may be moved from place to place to facilitate different yard locations.

An object of the invention is to provide a concrete base slab having grooves for holding the concrete side Wall slabs in interlocked condition and to support the side wall slabs on the ground.

An object of the invention is to provide side wall slabs having grooves interlocked with each other and also interlocked with the base slab as the side slabs rest in the grooves of the base slab sopthat the grooves of the base slab hold the interlocked side Walls in locked relationship with each other.

An objectof the invention is to provide inside false side and back walls for insulating the burner units from the side walls so as to prevent the penetration of heat to the outside walls.

An object of the invention is to provide an interlocked shelf disposed in grooves of the side walls for supporting the burner unit.

An object of the invention is to provide burner units on the shelf adapted to vent-wise communicate to flues disposed between the back wall and the false back wall.

An object of the invention is to provide chimney side walls adapted to rest on the upper edges of the grill side walls equipped with grooves for interlocking with one another to hold same in an erect position.

An object of the invention is to provide a chimney cap having grooves in the bottom surface adapted to receive the top edges of the chimney side Walls to hold the top edges in interlocked condition.

An object of the invention is to provide top members having grooves in their bottom surfaces adapted to receive the top edges of the burner side walls and to hold the top edges thereof in interlocked condition and also to abut the bottom edges of the chimney side walls tto hold them in interlocked condition.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description of an outdoor fireplace or grill embodying the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the base slab member showing the grooves for receiving the edges of the side walls.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. l taken on the line 3--3 thereof.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. l taken on the line 4 4 thereof.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a top member showing the grooved bottom side for receiving the top edges of the side walls.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 7 taken on the line 6 6 thereof.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 6 taken on the line 7-7 thereof.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view' of Fig. 6 taken on the line 8-3 thereof, and

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the unit showing the chimney portion in cross-section and with one top member removed taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the outdoor fireplace disclosed therein to illustrate the invention comprises a reinforced concrete base slab member 20, side wall slab members 2l and 2.2 disposed on edge on the base slab 20, a front sidewall lslab member 23 disposed on the edge on the base 20,

and a back sidewall slab member 24 disposed on the base slab member 20. The base slab member 20 is equipped with grooves 21A-24A adapted to receive the bottom edges 21B-24B of the side slabs .2l-24, each groove 21A-24A has a portion extending through the edge of the base slab 20 for the purpose of receiving the overlapping edges of the side walls 21-24 and also for the purpose of draining oif any water accumulated in the grooves to prevent cracking in freezing weather.

The side walls 21-24 have over-lapping extending ends 21C-24C and a vertical groove 21B-24D adjacent thereto for receiving the side wall inner ends 21E-24E in interlocked relationship in a domino pattern, as illustrated in Fig. 3. It is to be noted that since the bottom edges 21B-24B of the side walls are disposed in the grooves 21A--24A ofthe base slab 20 that the end overlapped and groove interlocked condition of the side walls 21-24 is secured thereby at their bottoms against any relative outward or displacing movement.v

The end walls 21 and 22 are respectively equipped with vertical internal grooves 21F and 22F for receiving the vertical edges of the false back Wall 25 and the base slab 20 is equipped with a receiving groove 25A for receiving the bottom edge of the false back wall 25. The false back wall 25 is provided with vertical grooves ZSG and 25H paired with the internal grooves 23G and 23H in the front wall 23 so that the false side walls 26 and 27 are held between the false back wall 25 and the front side wall 23 with their edges located in the grooves 23G and 25G and 23H and '25H respectively and it is to be further noted that the base slab 20 is equipped with grooves 26A and 27A for receiving the bottom edges of the false side walls 26 and 27 in secured non-shifting relationship. The front side wall 23 is relieved to provide an upper central grill receiving opening 28 above the intermediate edge 29, and the false sides 26 and 27 are provided with horizontal grooves 26B and 27B, the false back wall with groove 25], and the front 23 with horizontal groove 231 and the shelf 30 has its side edges disposed in these Vgrooves with its front and back edges respectively dis posed in the grooves 25J and 231 and its side edges respectively disposed in the grooves 26B and 27B so that the shelf 30 is supported onall four sides. The twin burner unit 31 is disposed on the shelf 30 between the 3 false side walls 26 and 27 against the false back wall 25 and the burner unit is equipped with ilue apertures 32 and 33 communicating withthe ue apertures 34 of the false back wall 25. t Y

The chimney back wall 41 rests on -its bottom edge on the back wall 24 top edge while the chimney front Wall 40 rests on its bottom edge on the false back wall top edge; the chimney end walls 43 and 42 are disposed spanning the false back Wall 25 and the back wall 24 and the chimney end walls 42 and 43 are respectively equipped with vertical grooves 42A and 43A for receiving the edges of the chimney back wall 41 and are respectively equipped with vertical grooves 42B and 43B for receiving the edges of the chimney front wall 40 whileV the chimney cap 44 is equipped with grooves 40C-43C for receiving the top edges of the chimney walls 40-43 respectively so that the top of the chimney walls are secured in interlocked relationship at their tops by the cap 44.

The flues 36 and 37 stand on end on the base slab 20 and extend upwardly above the top edges of the side walls and are thereabove enclosed by the chimney and are provided with apertures 3S yand 39 ventwise communicating with the burner apertures 32 and 33 and the false back wall 25 apertures 34.

The fireplace tops 45 and 46 rest on the top edges of the side walls and sidewise abut the bottom portions of the chimney endwalls 42 and 43 thereby holding their bottoms in interlocked relationship with the chimney front and back walls 40 and 41. The fireplace tops 45 and 46 are equipped with grooves in their bottom sides which receive the top edges of the lireplace Walls and hold the top portions of the fireplace walls in interlocked relationship. Specifically the top 46 is equipped with groove 24R adapted to receive the top edge of the back wall 24,y groove 25R adapted to receive the top edge of the false back Wall 25, groove 21R adapted to receive the top edge of the end wall 21, and groove 26K adapted to receive the top edge of the false side wall 26. lt is to be understood that the grooves of the lcap 45 are likewise coordinated to receive the top edges of the fireplace back Wall 24, front wall 23, side Wall 22, false side wall 27, and false back wall 25 on the right hand side of the replace similarly to and in the same manner as described in conjunction with replace top 46.

it is obvious therefore that the replace tops are adapted to hold the top edges of the fireplace side Walls in interlocked relationship in the same manner that the base slab 20 holds the bottom edges in interlocked relationship with the additional function of the replace tops 45 and 46 holding the chimney end walls 42 and 43 in locked condition relative to the chimney front and back walls 41 and 40.

In assembling the device, the base slab 20 is positioned on level ground and the false back wall 25 and false end walls 26 and 27 located in interlocked relationship and positioned in the base slab grooves 25A, 26A and 27A respectively and the shelf 30 is then edgewise located in the horizontal grooves 26B, 27B, and 25J. The front wall 23 is then located relative to the base slab in groove 23A and false end walls 26 and 27 with the grooves 23G and 23H receiving the ends of the false end Walls 26 and 27 and the groove 23] receiving end of the shelf 30. The replace end walls 21 and 22 are then positioned. and the fireplace back wall then positioned and interlocked with each other with the grooves and ends interlocked as previously described.

The iiues 36 and 37 are then positioned with their apertures 38 and 39 aligned with the apertures 34 in the false back wall 25; the chimney front and back walls 41 and 40 then positioned and then the chimney end walls 42 and 43 positioned with their grooves receiving the edges of the chimney front and back walls 41 and 40 respectively and then the chimney cap 44 is positioned on top of the chimney walls with the grooves in the bottom side of the chimney cap receiving the top edges of the chimney walls so as to hold them in interlocked condition; the replace tops 45 and 46 are then positioned so that the grooves in the bottom side receives the top edges of the fireplace side walls and so that they sidewise abut the bottom portions of the chimney end walls 42 and 43 so that the fireplace tops 45 and 46 hold the 'fireplace side walls in interlocked position at their tops and hold the chimney end walls in interlocked condition at their bottoms. The twin burner unit 31 is then positioned on the shelf 30 with the burner unit apertures 32 and 33 coordinating with the back wall apertures 34 and the flue apertures 38 and 39 whereupon the device is ready for use.

Due to the fact that the base slab 20 grooves 21A-24A are open at one end adjacent the closed end of the other connecting groove it is obvious that any moisture accumulating in the base slab grooves will be drained off so that in freezing weather no freezing and cracking will occur.

The false side walls 26 and 27 and false back wall 25 provide air spaces X, Y, and Z between the false side wall area confining the burner unit 31 and the outer side walls 21, 22, and 24 while the ues 36 and 37 provide heat insulation characteristics relative to the chimney side walls so that the outside of the unit does not get objectionably warm and remains satisfactorily cool.

Due to the fact that the various elements of the device can be manufactured via production line method and due to the fact that each piece is relatively easily handable by an ordinary person it is obvious that the ordinary householder can purchase one of the devices knocked-down and assemble it himself in his yard, and the unit can be shipped or stored in a knock-down condition and that the various elements can very easily be manufactured.

The user can re-locate the device from point to point in his property to suit his desires by dis-assembling the unit and it is obvious that the user can dis-assemble the fireplace and move it with him the same as the rest of his household effects.

The inventive fireplace burner or outdoor grill with these features constitutes a compact, durable, neat appearing outdoor fireplace easily assembled, manufactured, and dis-assembled and creates a well engineered and designed appearance with full professional attributes.

Although but a single embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the size, shape, detail, and arrangement of the various elements of the invention within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

An outdoor grill composed of demountably mounted interlocked concrete slabs comprising a base slab having an upper face equipped with intercommunicating grooves located adjacent its edges for receiving and holding the bottom edges of interlocked overlapped wall slabs thereon, Wall slabs including back, front, and end wall slabs disposed on said base slab with their bottom edges in said base slab grooves thereby interlocking with said base slab; each said wall slab having a vertical groove adjacent one outer vertical edge; said Wall slabs each having an inner vertical edge lying in the vertical groove of the next wall slab so that said Wall slabs rest and interlock with each other in a domino pattern; said end wall slabs each having an intermediate vertical groove spaced from said back wall slab, a false back wall slab disposed in saidend wall slab intermediate grooves; said false back wall slab and said front wall slab having false end wall receiving vertical grooves; false end walls disposed in the false end wall slab receiving grooves of said false back Wall slab and said front wall slab; said false back and end wall slabs and said front wall slab having horizontal shelf edgereceiving grooves; a shelf disposed in said front wall slab and said false back and end wall slab receiving grooves for supporting atleast one burner unit; said false back Wall having at least one aperture for ventwise communicating with at least one burner unit; at least one flue endwise disposed on said base slab between said back wall and said false back Wall and having an aperture ventwise communicating with said false back wall aperture and having an upper end extending above said side wall slabs; a chimney back wall edgewise resting on the top edge of said back Wall, a chimney front Wall edgewise resting on the top edge of said false back wall, chimneyend walls having paired vertical grooves adjacent their front and back edges receiving the side edges o'ff said chimney front and back walls, a chimney cap having chimney wall receiving grooves in the bottom side thereof resting on and interlocked with the tops of all said chimney end walls holding same in interlocked condition at their tops; paired fireplace tops sidewise abutting said chimney end walls holding same in interlocked condition at their bottoms; said tops having grooves in their bottom surfaces adapted to receive the top edges of said wall slabs to hold the tops of said Wall slabs in interlocked condition, and at least one burner resting on said shelf having an aperture Iventwise communicating with said false back Wall aperture and said ue aperture; each of said base slab grooves having at least one end leading through the edges of said base slab providing a Water drain for said base slab grooves.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 186,361 Nativel Jan. 16, 1877 219,530 Sage Sept. 9, 1879 437,615 McKenize Sept. 30, 1890 702,999 Richards June 24, 1902 878,862 Boughton Feb. 11, 1908 1,096,739 Moats May 12, 1914 1,335,473 Archacki Mar. 30, 1920 1,342,329 Freeman June 1, 1920 1,545,494 Holl July 14, 1925 2,095,745 Hiatt Oct. 12, 1937 2,621,586 Roney Dec. 16, 1952 2,728,334 Paolella Dec. 27, 1955 2,787,260 Williams Apr. 2, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 269,169 Germany Ian. 14, 1914 

